JPH09197749A - Copying machine provided with operation staple removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively and safely remove staple from stapled document sheet set, in a part of the frame of a copying machine. SOLUTION: A staple removing station is provided with a recessed part 100 and a tray which are for automatically receiving a staple removed from a stapled document sheet set. The staple removing station is provided with an operation type moving staple removing device 102 and this removing device 102 is provided with an operation type moving staple pulling out member. This pulling out member has a top end part, for engaging with the staple 110 and is engaged with the bent staple of the sheet set, to exert. normal force and pull out the staple from the sheet set. The operation staple removing device 102 is further provided with a staple stripping member for automatically striping and removing the staple pulled out by the staple pulling out member.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrostatic copiers and more particularly to a convenient staple removal station having an actuated safety staple remover for removing and retaining staples from a staple set of document sheets. Regarding equipment provided.

[0002]

Includes, but is not limited to, electrostatic processors. However, in general,
The processing of electrostatic copiers such as light lenses or scanner type machines involves uniformly charging the moving photoconductive member or image frame of the photoreceptor to a substantially uniform potential, and , Exposing the light reflected from the original being copied to an imaging discharge. This produces an electrostatically formed latent image on the image frame of the photoconductive member.
For multiple originals, several such frames are similarly imaged. The latent image so formed on each frame is developed by contacting it with a charged developer material. Two-component and single-component developing materials are commonly used. A typical two-component developer material comprises magnetic carrier particles, also known as "carrier beads," having fixable charged toner particles triboelectrically attached thereto. . Single component developer materials generally comprise only charged toner particles.

In either case, the fixable charged toner particles are attracted to such images when brought into contact with each latent image, thus forming a toner image on the photoconductive member. This toner image is then transferred to an image receiving member, i.e. a copy sheet, at a transfer station. The copy sheet then passes through a fusing device, where the toner image is heated and permanently fused to the copy sheet to form a hard copy of the original image. Originals copied one by one with such a copying machine are often
It is fixed to each other at least at one place by staples and is in the form of a staple set. As is well known, fixed staples have a crown portion and a plurality of leg portions and are pierced from a first side of a document sheet set to a second or opposite side of the document sheet set. It is folded back, i.e. bent. A copier operator typically takes one copy from a set of document sheets before copying such document sheets.
First, one staple or multiple staples must be removed.

To remove such staples, handheld staple removers of the type disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,903,945 are commonly used. In general, areas of the top panel of copiers often have shallow indentations or surface depressions, which are areas of work for removing such staples using a handheld staple remover. Used as a surface. Usually, the staples that have been removed or removed are inadvertently in this area on the copier,
Even if it is a shallow surface depression, problems arise if left behind. Such removed staples can cause greater problems if they fall into the active area of the copier.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,220, attempts to solve the above problems include, for example, projecting above the tray of the recess and further projecting upwards onto the peripheral surface. Some have provided passive fixed position fingers with sharp tips to remove staples from the staple set. Thus, a sharp finger tip protruding above is clearly unsafe. To use the fingers to remove staples, the operator manually positions and then presses the staple set of the sheet against the top of the finger tips, engaging the sharp tips with the staples and leveling the staples from the staple set. You must try to pick it out. The tips of the fingers are moved toward their ends and the staples, if properly engaged, are unwound and removed from the staple set.

Unfortunately, however, this finger staple remover tends to leave removed staples still on the fingers, as is commonly experienced with handheld staple removers. This finger also utilizes unobstructed horizontal shear to unravel the staples. This shear force tears the staple, and
It tends to tear the sheet. This is because the force to be set aside and applied is due to the operator pressing it without any guidance.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a convenient staple removal station is provided in a portion of the copier frame for effective and safe removal of staples from a staple set of document sheets. The staple removal station has a recess and a tray that automatically receives staples removed from a stapled set of document sheets. Importantly, the staple removing station comprises an actuated moving staple removing device having an actuating moving staple removing member, the extracting member comprising a staple engaging tip. And engaging the folded staples of a statically positioned sheet set to provide normal force, thereby pulling the staples from the statically positioned sheet set. The actuated staple removing device further includes a staple strip member for automatically removing and removing removed staples from the staple removing member.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although described in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood that this is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Referring first to FIG. 8, an exemplary electrostatographic reproduction machine 8 according to the present invention is shown. As shown, the copier 8 has a plurality of conventional image processing stations associated therewith, including a charging station AA, an image / exposure station BB, a developing station CC, and a transfer station D.
D, fixing station EE and cleaning station FF are included. Importantly, copier 8 includes a convenient actuated staple removal station of the present invention, designated SR (described in detail below).

As shown, the copier 8 includes a photoconductive belt having a photoconductive layer 12 supported by a drive roller 14 and a tension roller 15. The drive roller 14 functions to drive the belt in the direction indicated by arrow 18. The hard drive roller 14 is itself driven by a motor (not shown) by any suitable means, such as a belt drive. The operation of the copier 8 can be simply described as follows. First, photoconductive belt 10 is charged by corona generator 20 at charging station AA. The charged portion of the belt is then transferred to the image / exposure station BB by the action of drive roller 14. At this image / exposure station, a latent image is formed on belt 10 corresponding to the image on the document positioned on platen 24 via a light lens imaging system 28 at image / exposure station BB. It will also be appreciated that the light lens imaging system can be easily converted to an input / output scanning terminal driven by a data input signal, or an output scanning terminal to further image the belt 10. Also, as is well known, the documents on the platen 24 can be manually placed there, or automatically fed there by an automatic document handler device (not shown). it can.

The portion of the belt 10 bearing the latent image is then transferred to a development station CC, where the latent image is electrically charged toner from a magnetic development roller 30 of the development station CC. Developed by the substance. The developed image on the belt is then transferred to a transfer station DD, where the toner image is transferred to a sheet cassette tray, eg, a copy sheet sent from a sheet cassette tray assembly 70, 72. As shown, the sheets are fed by, for example, a copy sheet processing apparatus 31, each including a feed roller 33.
The transfer station DD is provided with a corona generating device 32 for charging the copy sheet and attracting the charged toner image from the photoconductive belt 10 to the copy sheet. The copy sheet with the transferred image thereon is then directed to the fusing station EE.
The fusing device at station EE includes a heated fusing roll 34 and a backup pressure roll 36. The heated fixing roll 34 and pressure roll 36 rotatably cooperate to fix and fix the toner image to the copy sheet. The copy sheets are then double tray 40, as is well known, selectively to the finishing area or along a selectable double path 42 for duplex copying.
Can be transferred to.

The belt 10 from which the developed image is transferred
After that, the part is moved to the cleaning station FF,
At the cleaning station FF, residual toner and charges on the belt are collected by the blade 44 and a discharge lamp (not shown).
And then the portion is prepared for a subsequent image cycle. When no duplex image formation is performed, or at the end of such duplex image formation, when the fuser rolls 34, 36 are finally released, the copy sheet is transferred to rolls 46, 48 for entry into the finishing area. Sent. From the input rolls 46, 48,
Copy sheets, for example, individually to the output tray 49,
Alternatively, the sheets are sent to the bin sorter device 50, and the sheets are
It may be arranged within the trays or within each bin 52 of the bin sorter device 50 in a collated but unstapled set.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a copier 8 is shown externally to show an exemplary location of a convenient actuated staple removing station SR of the present invention. In appearance
The copier 8 has an upper horizontal frame panel 82 8
A frame indicated by 0 is provided. Upper horizontal panel 82
Has a platen cover 84, but may alternatively include an automatic document handler (not shown) with output tray 49. Copies of the original copied by the processing of the copier 8 can be collected in a bin sorter device 50 having individual bins 52, as described above. The frame 82 also has openings for, for example, copy sheet input trays 90, 92, and also has a front vertical panel 86 forming a corner 88 with the upper horizontal panel 82. As shown, a convenient actuated staple removal station SR is preferably located at corner 88.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, the convenient actuated staple removing device of FIG. 1 is shown in enlarged detail. As shown, the staple removal station SR
Has a recess 100 for containing the staple removing device of the present invention. On the upper horizontal panel 82, the station SR includes a staple crown receiving slot S1 and at least one tool slot S2, each of which opens into a recess 100. The staple crown receiving slot S1 is preferably a width "W" slightly wider than the diameter of a standard paper or sheet staple wire.
Having. The length of the staple receiving slot S1 is preferably equal to the standard length of the crown portion of the folded staple used to bundle the sheet set. The slot S1 has been cut into and through the plane of the upper panel 82 so that the operator can fold his or her thumb or other finger over the folded leg of the staple that bundles the sheet set. Position it directly into the slot S1 without much effort and insert the staple crown portion (opposite the folded leg) into the slot S1.
I am able to guide you inside.

To assist the operator in initially aligning the staple crown to the slot S1, the upper horizontal panel 82 has a colored band or mark 1 on each side of the slot S1. This band, or mark 1, is wide enough for the operator to see and is centered with respect to the length of slot S1. The top panel also has a colored line L1 on each end of the slot S1 to indicate proper alignment with respect to the crown axis of the staple being removed.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, regardless of the particular orientation of the folded staples at the corners or edges of the sheet set, the operator will generally slot both the length of staple to be removed and the axis. It can be aligned with the mark M1 and the line L1 around S1. Using the thumb or other finger on the folded leg of the staple on one side, the operator easily senses the crown of the opposite staple that has been slid into the hooked position inside slot S1.

The tool slots S2, S3 are formed at right angles to the crown receiving slot S1 and are spaced along the length of the slot S1. Slot S
2, the upper surface of S3, like that of slot S1,
It is even with the surface of the upper horizontal panel 82. For safety reasons, the slots S2, S3 are large enough to freely receive the staple engaging tip 110 of the staple removing device 102 of the present invention. Inside the recess 100 and immediately below the crown receiving slot S1,
The staple removing device 102 includes a removing staple strip bar 112 and a removing staple slide chute 11.
4. Has a removal staple catch tray 116. As shown, the tray 116 includes a recess 10 for access through the front vertical panel 86 of the copier 8.
It is arranged so that it can be removably attached to the inside of 0.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the removed staple strip member 112 is provided with an upper horizontal panel 82 of the machine frame, such as by screws.
It is a thin L-shaped rod attached upside down. The strip bar 112 is adapted to be attached between the two staple engaging tips 110 of the respective staple removing members 120, 122 of the staple removing device 102 (top view of FIG. 4). As further shown in FIG. 4, the staple engaging tips 110 of the staple extraction members 122 are separated by a wider width than those of the extraction members 120. This arrangement allows the narrow tips 110 of the extraction member 120 to pivot in an overlapping manner between the tips 110 of the extraction member 120, as described below. Thus, the slot S1
The strip bars 112 on each side are therefore preferably narrow enough to allow the narrower tip 110 of the extraction member 120 to pass through at each end thereof.

The overlapping pivotal movements of the withdrawal members 120, 122, combined with the flare characteristics of their tips 110, cause the removed staples to move downwardly, and
Combined to move away from slot S1. As shown in FIG. 3, the strip bar 1
12 are mounted at a distance, and between them,
In addition, the drop channel 124 is formed immediately below the slot S1. As mentioned above, the removed staples moved away from the slot S1 are therefore moved into the channels 124 between the bars 112. Channels 124 are preferably wider than the diameter of standard staple wires to allow the removed staples to be attracted and drop into side chute 114 and slide from side chute 114 into tray 116. Is done.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the staple removing device 102 of the present invention is more fully illustrated. First, it is in the off state, ie in the normally open position (FIG. 5), then in the closed position for removing staples (FIG. 6), and finally after removing the staples, Is in the off state, i.e. returned to the normally open position (Fig. 7). As shown, the device 10
2 preferably includes a pair of movable actuating staple extraction members 120, 122 which are hinged to each other at their second ends at pivots 126, respectively. . Each extraction member 120, 122 includes a pair of spaced apart sharp staple engaging tips 110 (FIG. 4) at their first ends. The extraction members 120, 122 are pivots 126.
Is pivotable about a circumference of the staple drop channel 124 to a central, closed, overlap position (FIG. 6). During such movement, the staple engaging tips move through the tool slots S2, S3 on each side of the staple slot S1. Pivot 12
6 is located at a distance below slot S1, S2, S3 such that tip 110 provides a radius of gyration of tip 110 so that it never projects above the surface of upper horizontal panel 82. It

As further shown, the extraction member 12
0, 122 to the staple engagement position, then to the staple strip position (FIG. 6), and finally back to its off state to the normally open position (FIG. 7). A drive assembly 130 is provided. The actuation drive assembly 130 includes a link work subassembly 132 for connecting the extraction members or jaws 120, 122 to drive the connecting rod 134, as shown. The movement of the connecting rods 134 actuates the extraction members by moving them between the extraction members' open and fully closed positions. The driving force to the connecting rod 134 is, of course,
Provided by a mechanical actuator having a return spring (not shown), a reversible gear train and motor assembly (also not shown), or an appropriate device such as the solenoid 136 assembly and return spring 138. obtain. The electric force is applied to the solenoid by the actuator button 140.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an operator wishing to remove staples with folded legs from the stapled sheet set 142 will flip the sheet set over station SR. , Line mark L1 on the axis of the staple crown
During this, an attempt is also made to align the length of the crown portion within the band mark M1 (FIG. 2). Fingers 144 on the folded legs of the staples on the top of the sheet set
With the tips of the staples aligned, the operator will gradually guide with little effort and the crown portion of the staples will slip into and be caught in the slot S1. With the sheet set stationary and the fingers 144
Actuating button 140, with the tips of the staples resting on the folded legs of the staple, causes extraction members 120, 122 to engage their tips 110 on either side of the staple within slot S1. , Move towards each other. The engagement on both sides of the staple crown prevents the sheet from being torn by the horizontal shearing force from the tip 110. This is because a force in one direction by one set of tips 110 is hindered, or disturbed, by an equal force in the opposite direction. Preferably,
The net force of the tip 110 at the crown of the staple is therefore downward. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, each tip 110 is deflected outwardly away from its sharp point so that each tip (after engaging the staples) into slot S1. And, by continuing to move across the slot S1, the staple 150 (FIG. 6) is pushed downward along the flared surface of each tip, pushing the staple 150 downward and away from the sheet set 142.

The strip bar 112 and the staple drop channel 124 are arranged immediately below the slot S1 so that when the staple 150 is pushed downward by the tip 110, the staple 110 is pulled downward.
To be moved directly into the channel 124. This downward movement of the staple crown portion causes the folded back leg portions to gradually open into and through the seat set and into a more open position, thus ultimately releasing from the seat set. To be done. The staple 150 is retained within the channel 124, and with the partially open legs of the staple still in loose contact with the tip of the larger extraction member 122, the extraction provided by the return spring 138. The rearward pivotal movement of the members 120, 122 causes the strip bar 112 to retain the staples 150 within the channels 124 and thus remove or remove the staples from the rearwardly moving tip 110. After being removed from the tip 110, the staple 150 is then released and gravitationally falls through the channel 124 and into the beveled side chute 114 (FIG. 7). On shoot 114,
The staples 150 then slide into the collection tray 116. The collection tray can also be removed from and reattached to the recess 100 through the vertical front panel 84.

In summary, the present invention provides a convenient staple removal station SR in the portion of the frame 80 of the copier 8 to effectively and safely remove the staples 150 from the stapled set of document sheets 142. To do. The staple removing station SR is
It has a recess 100 and a collection tray 116 that automatically receives staples 150 that have been removed from a set of stapled document sheets. Importantly, the staple removal station SR has an actuated moving staple remover 102, which removes
At least one actuatable movable actuating staple extraction member 120, 122, the extraction member comprising:
A staple engaging tip 110 that engages the folded staples of a statically positioned sheet set to provide normal force, thereby pulling the staples from the statically positioned sheet set. . The actuated staple removing device 102 further includes a staple strip member 112 for automatically removing and removing removed staples from the staple removing members 120, 122.

As can be seen from the above, the present invention provides a copier with a convenient stapling station having an actuating stapling device, which completely fulfills the above objects and advantages. . Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, it is self-evident that many alternatives, variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the broad scope and scope of the appended claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a copying machine having an actuating staple removing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the staple removing station (circled area 2) of the copier of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical front view of a staple removing / collecting device of the staple removing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the staple removing station of FIG. 2 showing the staple removing device of the present invention.

5 is a vertical front view of the staple removing station of FIG. 2 showing the staple removing device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the staple removal station of FIG. 2 showing the staple removal device in a closed, staple removal position.

7 illustrates the staple removal station of FIG. 2 showing removed staples removed from a staple extraction member.

FIG. 8 is a vertical view of internal processing members and stations of the copier of FIG.

[Brief description of reference numerals]

 S1 staple crown receiving slot S2 tool slot S3 tool slot 82 upper panel 100 concave portion 102 staple removing device 110 staple engaging tip 112 removing staple strip bar 114 removing staple slide chute 116 removing staple catch tray 120 staple removing member 122 staple removing member 142 Sheet set 150 staples

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine for producing a sheet copy of a sheet original, wherein the copying machine comprises a) a machine frame, b) an image supporting member supported inside the machine frame, and an original image of the sheet original. A means for forming a toner image of c), a means for transferring the toner image onto a copy sheet, and a means for holding an original image of a sheet original and exposing the original image onto the image supporting member. And e) formed in a portion of the machine frame to effectively and safely remove folded staples that bundle the set of sheet documents from the stapled set of sheet documents. , A convenient staple removing station, the staple removing station having an actuated convenient staple removing device, the removing device comprising: At least one movable staple extraction member having staple engaging means for engaging the staples being returned to remove the folded staples from the set of stapled sheets; and the removed staples. A stripping means for removing the movable staple removing member so as to be separated from the movable staple removing member. 2. The copier of claim 1, wherein the convenient staple removal station includes a receiving slot for receiving and retaining a staple crown to be removed through an upper panel of the machine frame, and the receiving slot. A pair of tool slots arranged at right angles to allow the staple engaging means of the staple extraction member to move freely. 3. A staple removing device for removing staples that bundle a set of sheets from a set of sheets, wherein the staple removing device has a) a movement path, a first end and a second end. A movable staple extraction member, the second end having a sharpened tip that engages a crown portion of the staples bundling a set of sheets. B) means connected to the extraction member for moving the pointed tip reciprocally to and from the staple engagement position along the movement path, and c) the movement of the extraction member. Mounted at right angles to the path to hold the removed staples and removed when the extraction member was moved from the staple engagement position A staple stripping member for removing staples from the staple removing member.